"Come From Away" opens in Largo ahead of 9/11 anniversary
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"Come From Away" debuted on Broadway in 2017. Photo: Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic
Twenty-five years ago next Friday, 38 transatlantic flights diverted from U.S. airspace in the wake of 9/11 landed in the tiny town of Gander, Newfoundland.
- And so begins the true story behind the Broadway stage musical "Come From Away," which opens this Friday at Largo's Eight O'Clock Theatre.
Why it matters: As the anniversary of the terrorist attacks approaches, the musical offers a story showing "that the best of humanity can overcome the worst," cast member Rand Smith told Fox 13.
The big picture: Smith plays Gander's mayor, Claude, who leads the town of 10,000 as residents scramble to organize transportation, accommodations and other necessities for the sudden influx of nearly 7,000 visitors.
- It centers characters based on and named after real people, like Diane, a Texan divorcée whose love story with engineer and fellow passenger Nick blossoms over their days in Gander.
- Each of the show's 12 actors plays a primary role plus dozens of others amid a minimalist set of chairs and tables.
What they're saying: "Everyone calls it the 9/11 show … but it's honestly what happens after," James Grenelle, the director of Eight O'Clock's production, told Axios.
- "It's the after when everyone is scared and confused and unsure and uninformed, and it tells a story of kindness and community."
Zoom in: Eight O'Clock is the latest local theater putting on the production with volunteer actors.
- Among them is Mika McGee Kleinschmidt, a Tampa-based real estate developer best known for co-hosting HGTV's "100-Day Dream Home."
- She plays Hannah, who spends the show worrying about her New York firefighter son and forms a close friendship with Gander resident and teacher Beulah, whose son is also a firefighter.
What's next: The show runs from Friday through next weekend. You can buy tickets ($37 + $7 in fees) here.
- And if you can't make this production, the New Tampa Performing Arts Center is putting on its own version in October, and the Manatee Performing Arts Center is set to do the show in January.
💭 Your resident theater nerd's thought bubble: I love this show! At the recommendation of friend and newsletter reader Vaughn, I watched a recording on Apple+ and bawled.
- The friendship between Hannah and Beulah in particular moved me. I'm tearing up just thinking about it!
- I'll be at Eight O'Clock's 2pm Sept. 12 show, and I hope you'll join me in supporting local community theater.